The FBI over the summer agreed to keep cases connected to Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump quiet because of the upcoming election, The New York Times reported, a pattern it broke last week.
{mosads}The Justice Department reportedly encouraged the bureau not to issue subpoenas or take any steps that would make the cases public with the election drawing near, sources told the Times.
One of the cases involved former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort’s business and political dealings in Ukraine. Manafort denied that there was an FBI investigation into his work there, according to the Times, calling the reports “an outrageous smear being driven by” Democrats.
“There is nothing of my business activities to investigate,” Manafort said in an email to The Times.
The second investigation was in connection to Clinton’s relationship with donors to the Clinton Foundation and was in its preliminary stages. The FBI reportedly was weighing whether to issue subpoenas over the issue but ultimately decided to not take any further action until after the election.
A report surfaced earlier this week that said FBI agents were pushing for the Clinton Foundation to be investigated over claims it gave favors and special access to donors.
The Washington Post reported the public integrity unit of the Justice Department said it did not have enough evidence to move forward with the case.
Last Friday, FBI Director James Comey appeared to have broken with this pattern of avoiding the election fray when he sent a letter to several congressional committees telling them the bureau was reviewing newly discovered emails “pertinent” to its investigation into Clinton’s use of a private server while serving as secretary of State.
The letter came just about a week ahead of the general election.
Comey reportedly sent the letter against advice from top Justice Department officials.
According to The Times, it is unlikely the bureau will complete its review of the newly discovered emails ahead of the general election. FBI officials have said they may be able to give an update.
Democrats and many of Clinton’s aides have been pushing the FBI to release more information into its new email review and have been attacking Comey for what some have called an unprecedented move.